DREAM ANALYSIS

Dreams hold messages from the deepest levels of the unconscious. Dream symbolism is a pathway into the unconscious for Freud and Jung but they view the function of dreams differently. 

The Freudian view is that analysis and interpretation of a dream can enable the client to reveal what lies at the depth of his/her psychic distress. Freud also asserted that dreams are disguised ‘wish fulfilment’ that may hold trauma, anxiety, or sexual desire. Dreams also have manifest and latent content. According to Freud latent dream content is converted to manifest symbolism by dream work.  

According to Carl Jung…. 

Dream Work 

1. To appreciate the significance of dream imagery 

2. To discharge deep feelings of sadness, grief, loss and anger. 

3. To bring resolution to emotional conflict 

4. To use your ability to decipher /discharge and resolve your own dream.

Dreams have manifest content that is recognisable and the latent is the unconscious material ( the ‘true meaning’). Dream analysis can tap into this. Dream psychology holds three main elements-  

Who You Are – find the characters and symbols and their actions in the dream? 

What You Need – what you value the most 

What You Believe – your beliefs, what you really want 

Dream Journal 

As you wake note down your feelings and emotions. Recall the characters, symbols, colours, sights, and  sounds. You will soon be able to build this up and connect them together into a more coherent dream recall. 

What do your dreams mean? 

Recall one of your dreams that you wish to interpret and ask your sub-conscious… “Why did I have this dream? What is this dream telling me? What does this dream mean? Make a list of all the symbols and characters in your dreams. All your dreams mean something to you as they are from your sub-conscious mind.